Skimming device with depth sensor

Abstract

Pool systems for swimming pools or spas may include one or more skimming devices, and the skimming devices may include one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may be provided on a lower end or bottom of the automatic skimming device and are positioned to measure and/or detect a depth of water below the skimming device. The skimming devices may perform various operations based on data from the sensors.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A water skimming device comprising:
 a body; and   one or more sensors on a bottom of the body configured to measure or detect a depth of water in which the water skimming device is operating, wherein the water skimming device is configured to move along a surface of the water.   
     
     
         2 . The water skimming device of  claim 1 , wherein, responsive to the measured or detected depth, the water skimming device is configured to generate one or more control responses. 
     
     
         3 . The water skimming device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more control responses comprises changing or controlling a path of the water skimming device. 
     
     
         4 . The water skimming device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more control responses comprises generating a response on a user interface onboard the water skimming device or generating a response on a user interface remote from the water skimming device. 
     
     
         5 . The water skimming device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more control responses comprises communicating with a submerged device. 
     
     
         6 . The water skimming device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to detect and/or measure additional information below the water skimming device. 
     
     
         7 . The water skimming device of  claim 6 , wherein the additional information comprises information about one or more of submerged devices, objects or obstacles on the submerged surface, debris, a person, or a profile of the submerged surface. 
     
     
         8 . The water skimming device of  claim 1 , wherein the water skimming device is further configured to control navigation and/or operation of the water skimming device based on the detected depth from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The water skimming device of  claim 1 , wherein the water skimming device comprises one or more solar cells. 
     
     
         10 . A water skimming device comprising:
 a body configured to move along a surface of the water; and   a depth sensor configured to measure or detect a depth of water while the water skimming device operates along the surface of the water.   
     
     
         11 . The water skimming device of  claim 10 , wherein the depth sensor is on a submerged or submergible portion of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The water skimming device of  claim 10 , wherein the water skimming device is further configured to control navigation and/or operation of the water skimming device based on the detected depth from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The water skimming device of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to detect and/or measure additional information below the water skimming device, wherein the additional information comprises information about one or more of submerged devices, objects or obstacles on the submerged surface, debris, a person, or a profile of the submerged surface. 
     
     
         14 . The water skimming device of  claim 10 , wherein the water skimming device comprises one or more solar cells. 
     
     
         15 . A water skimming device comprising:
 a body configured to operate along a surface of water; and   one or more sensors having a sensing region below the water skimming device and configured to measure or detect a depth of the water as the water skimming device operates along the surface of the water.   
     
     
         16 . The water skimming device of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more sensors is on a submerged or submergible portion of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The water skimming device of  claim 15 , wherein, responsive to the measured or detected depth, the water skimming device is configured to generate one or more control responses. 
     
     
         18 . The water skimming device of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more control responses comprises at least one of changing or controlling a path of the water skimming device or communicating with a submerged device. 
     
     
         19 . The water skimming device of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to detect and/or measure additional information below the water skimming device, wherein the additional information comprises information about one or more of submerged devices, objects or obstacles on the submerged surface, debris, a person, or a profile of the submerged surface. 
     
     
         20 . The water skimming device of  claim 15 , wherein the water skimming device comprises one or more solar cells.